McKenzie River trail group ride. (save on shuttle)

My girlfriend and I are on a roadtrip from Florida and don't want to miss McKenzie River Trail while we are in the area. We checked into the Shuttle through Cog Wild but is was very expensive and there aren't any openings. Anyone interested in riding that trail and saving on the shuttle? We are available from July 23-24 and August 15-16.

My girlfriend and I are on a roadtrip from Florida and don't want to miss McKenzie River Trail while we are in the area. We checked into the Shuttle through Cog Wild but is was very expensive and there aren't any openings. Anyone interested in riding that trail and saving on the shuttle? We are available from July 23-24 and August 15-16.

I'm sure you know that McKenzie doesn't absolutely require a shuttle to be enjoyed, I actually prefer not to shuttle it any more since I get to ride my favorite sections twice if I ride out and back while skipping my least favorite sections.

I prefer to start a little lower than Trailbridge at the hotsprings, it gives a bit more of the flowy singletrack than starting at trailbridge. Route is up trail around clear lake and back, the distance ends up being about the same as doing the shuttle but without all the shuttle hassles.

As noted before...

Harbicks Country Store at the bottom will shuttle you up. $45 bucks. Smokin' deal if you can divide it by 4 but still great if for just the two of you. (Or, wait a bit and I am sure some others in like need will show up to share.) And, wonderfully non-healthy but so rewarding eats there upon your return.

Harbicks Country Store at the bottom will shuttle you up. $45 bucks. Smokin' deal if you can divide it by 4 but still great if for just the two of you. (Or, wait a bit and I am sure some others in like need will show up to share.) And, wonderfully non-healthy but so rewarding eats there upon your return.

Now, not getting nit-pickey here, but does Harbick's have a Forest Service Special Use Permit for that? Commercial use on (or accessing) FS administered land requires a permit. It (unfortunately) is one of the costs of being a legitimate operator. Those who do go to the trouble of being legitimate have several layers of bureaucracy to contend with, minor things like Oregon Outfitter Guide licensing, O/G Insurance, First Aid requirements, etc. I recommend supporting those who are doing it right - IF you decide to do the shuttle...

If you are fit for 25-30 miles of singletrack you gotta do the whole thing. Techy up top. Bottom section is fast flowy river singletrack, not sure what kind of roads Jaybo rides on... or maybe he got lost and rode the paved road back down. You get some of the most beautiful scenery around and see the river grow from nothing to some serious flow. For me its worth the extra planning (or $$ or thumbing a ride) to get a shuttle together and make a day of it.

3 of us are driving out there from Chicago, and from my estimates, will be hitting MRT (after some riding in Ketchum/Boise) around the 13-14th. if we actually end up there the 15th ill let you know. after that were driving up to Vancouver for some North Shore.

Bike n Hike bike shops will be hosting an out-and-back from the bottom trailhead August 15, if anyone is interested in a non-shuttle option. Ride starts at 10:30 that day, and we'll probably be doing about 10miles out for a 20-miler total.
more info is at www.bikenhike.com

McKenzie River Mountain Resort is offering a shuttle service - they are not far from the bottom of the trail. They charge $25 a person - min 2 people and $15 per additional people in the same group. They go by appointment. 541-822-6272 www.McKenzieRiverTrail.com